Munster unveil new generation for US trip

Munster have finalised their squad for the upcoming trip to Chicago, where they will play the US national side before the Americans travel to France for the World Cup.

The 26-man squad is scheduled to fly from Shannon next Wednesday morning and will include a number of new faces, who will hope to make an early impression on coach Declan Kidney.

Many of the Munster frontline players will be with Ireland at the World Cup until after the final pool game against Argentina on September 30th at the earliest, meaning there will be a number of opportunities in the Magners Celtic League for players to make a mark.

The party includes a new generation: names such as Ciarán O'Boyle, Gerry Hurley and Mark Melbourne.

It also includes Darragh Hurley, Donnacha Ryan and Denis Hurley, who made an impact last season in the league. The four newcomers to the squad - Niall Ronan, Kieran Lewis, Paul Warwick and Rua Tipoki - are also included.

Munster play the US Eagles in Toyota Park on August 27th in the first game of a three-match pre-season programme. It will also serve as the final outing for the Eagles before they head to France, where they have been drawn in Pool A with England, South Africa, Samoa and Tonga.

"Everyone is aware of the importance of pre-season work and the matches serve as a significant part of that preparation," said Kidney. "It's a privilege to be able to include an international side in our pre-season schedule and even more so when we are playing them in their own back yard just before they head off for the World Cup. It's a marvellous opportunity for us, and particularly for the younger members of the squad, to get this type of exposure against an international outfit."

Meanwhile, Munster have agreed to the early release of Chris Wyatt from his contract. The former Wales lock was due to leave in December but sought a release to join the French club Bourgoin.

"Obviously, with five back-five players away with the RWC squad things could be tight but we believe we have the resources to allow us release Chris with immediate effect and we wish him well," said Kidney.

MUNSTER SQUAD:F Pucciariello, T Buckley, Darragh Hurley, A Foley, J O'Sullivan, Donnacha Ryan, M O'Driscoll, E McGovern, D Fogarty, N Ronan, J Coughlan, M Melbourne, A Horgan, J Kelly, T O'Leary, C O'Boyle, Denis Hurley, J Manning, M Lawler, I Dowling, B Murphy, K Lewis, L Mafi, P Warwick, R Tipoki, Gerry Hurley.